The Kalamazoo River from the confluence of the North and South Branches in Albion, Michigan is roughly 123 miles in length flowing Westward and emptying into Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, Michigan. Throughout its course, the river is home to an excellent smallmouth bass and northern pike fishery. It also has numerous cold-water tributaries that sustain healthy populations of Trout. The lower Kalamazoo River downstream ...

of Allegan Dam hosts annual runs of steelhead and Salmon as well, making the watershed a very diverse fishery that suits anglers of all types. Steelhead typically begin running the river in October every Fall and remain in the river in fishable numbers through late April. Smallmouth bass fishing is typically best from April - October and the northern pike fishery is best in cooler water temps, Fall can be a spectacular time of year to chase these toothy native predators. The river lends itself to smaller boats and canoes and has numerous sections which are very scenic, lending itself to anglers looking to get away from civilization without having to travel far to do so. It truly is a gem of a river located in Southwest Michigan.